Are you experiencing pain that radiates from your back or buttocks down to your legs? You likely have a common condition known as sciatica. According to a book on sciatica published in the National Library of Medicine, between 1% and 5% of the population report sciatica annually.
Yale Medicine states that the condition is responsible for 10% of all cases of reported lower back pain. Untreated sciatica often worsens, making daily living more difficult.
Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care, the premier choice for people looking for a chiropractor in New York, offers holistic sciatica treatment. Call now to schedule a consultation.
Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, is a pain originating around the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest in your body and is about the width of a finger. Any conditions that can cause spinal nerves to become impinged or inflamed may cause sciatica pain.
The condition is more common in people aged 40 and older. It rarely occurs before age 20 except after a traumatic event such as a vehicle or workplace accident.
Some of the most common symptoms of sciatica include:
There are many possible causes of sciatica. However, the most common cause is a herniated disc. A herniated disc occurs when the soft cushion between your vertebrae pushes through the tough outer shell. The condition impinges or irritates the sciatic nerve, leading to sciatica.
Other possible causes of the condition include:
In rare cases, sciatica may also occur due to an infection or tumor.
At Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care, we treat sciatica by addressing the underlying cause of the pain to restore proper spinal alignment and function. We help patients enjoy long-term relief from the condition without the need to undergo invasive procedures or risk harmful side effects.
Your treatment will begin with a comprehensive assessment of your medical records and a physical evaluation. The doctor may order some imaging tests for more insights into your condition and why you’re experiencing sciatica pain.
From the result of the evaluation, we will decide on a treatment approach. Chiropractic treatment for sciatica may include the following:
Misalignments in the spine can cause sciatic nerve compression and pain. Your chiropractor can use gentle, targeted spinal adjustments to realign the vertebrae, release pressure on your sciatic nerve, and promote optimal nerve function.
Manual therapy techniques such as stretching, mobilization, and soft tissue massage can help alleviate muscle tension, reduce inflammation, and improve flexibility around the affected part of your body.
Poor posture worsens sciatica. Walking, sitting, or doing anything while in a poor posture will put excessive strain on the spine and surrounding muscles. We’ll use corrective exercises to teach you how to maintain proper posture and provide other ergonomic recommendations that will help you avoid putting too much pressure on your sciatic nerve.
The excruciating nature of sciatica pain means that most people believe that prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, or over-the-counter pain relievers are a must for treating the condition.
Unfortunately, the use of these medications comes with an increased risk of dependency, in addition to other side effects.
At Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care, our chiropractors use gentle, non-invasive approaches to provide long-term relief from sciatica symptoms. Are you ready to enjoy improved mobility and function? Do you want to experience first-hand how chiropractic care can alleviate sciatica pain?
Call any of our locations today to schedule a consultation with a sciatica chiropractor.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
A chiropractor can help with sciatica. The spinal adjustments and other modalities they deploy can help correct misalignments that cause pinching or compressing of the sciatic nerve. They can help get your spine and vertebrae back into the correct positions bring you lasting, long-term relief.
Most sciatica patients recover without undergoing surgery. According to Harvard Health, 90% of patients will recover from sciatica within a few weeks without undergoing surgery. Quality chiropractic care can reduce the recovery timeline significantly.
We’ll let you know if you have sciatic pain due to severe musculoskeletal issues that won’t respond to chiropractic treatment.
Physical therapy can also help alleviate sciatica pain. Physical therapists can combine a range of modalities to strengthen the lower back muscle, improve posture, and take pressure off your sciatic nerve.
Talk to us today if you’d prefer to work with a physical therapist for your sciatica treatment.
You can keep sciatica from returning by strengthening your core and back muscles, maintaining good posture at all times, avoiding heavy lifting, and avoiding prolonged sitting.
